NATO countries to demand the release of Ukrainian sailors from Russia through own channels
The main results of the Ukraine-NATO Commission meeting, convened on an emergency basis at the Kyiv’s request are the release of Ukrainian warships’ crew members, the requirement to unblock sea traffic through the Kerch Strait and the achievement of de-escalation of tensions, reports Radio Liberty.
"Ukraine presented all the evidence of Russia's aggression in the Kerch Strait, and everyone in the NATO understood what is happening. It has been decided to demand the release of all the sailors, and the ally countries would demand this from Russia through their contacts. Secondly, the strait should be unblocked for Ukraine. The last thing is the de-escalation of tensions and solutions to this whole situation,” explained the head of Ukraine’s Mission to NATO, Vadym Prystaiko, at the NATO headquarters.
In his turn, the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, demanded that Russia stops its aggressive actions, assured that the alliance is trying to find ways to further support Ukraine and that Moscow should be responsible for its actions.
“We are conducting continuous and thorough monitoring of the situation. The NATO Alliance is constantly assessing what more can be done to resolve the conflict. Russia must understand that all its actions will have consequences,” said the NATO Secretary General.
On the morning of November 25, Ukraine informed the Russian port of its intention to transfer three ships through the Kerch Strait, as required by the Agreement on the joint use of the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait. However, at around 8:00 a.m., Russian ships carried out acts of provocation against the Ukrainian vessels, even ramming into the Yany Kapu tugboat.
Russia later accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its territorial waters, claiming that they were “manoeuvring dangerously” and “not complying with the legitimate demands of the Russian authorities”. Russia also physically blocked the Kerch Strait with a transport ship. The Ukrainian ships decided to return to Odessa, but they were chased and subsequently attacked by the Russian military. The Berdyansk and Nikopol boats were hit, and two crew members were wounded. All three of the ships were seized by the Russians.